(19)
(11) EP 1 362 623 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
07.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/02

(43) Date of publication A2:
19.11.2003 Bulletin 2003/47

(21) Application number: 03006145.1

(22) Date of filing: 18.03.2003
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A63F 13/12
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK

(30) Priority: 17.05.2002 US 150781

(71) Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Redmond, WA 98052 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Danieli, Damon V.
    Clyde Hill, Washington 98004 (US)
  • Heller, Noah
    Kirkland, Washington 98033 (US)

(74) Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät 
Maximilianstrasse 58
80538 München
80538 München (DE)

   


(54) Banning verbal communication to and from a selected party in a game playing system


(57) Voice communication between players using one or more multiplayer game console is selectively controlled. A player may selectively block voice communications with another player during a current and any future games. In addition, an authorized party (e.g., a parent) can selectively preclude voice communication by a minor child by setting an option that is uploaded to an online game service service; the minor child is then precluded from voice communication on any voice console via the online game service. Also, a player may be temporarily or permanently banned from voice communication during games played through an online game service in response to complaints made by other players concerning the player's behavior in voice communication while playing games, e.g., excessive use of profanity. When a player signs on to the online game service, data are downloaded to the game console that indicate any applicable restraints on voice communication.






Search report